At the same time each month, check for any change in the normal look or feel of your breasts. Look for a lump, a hard knot, or skin that thickens or dimples. Report any changes to a trained medical professional. Go for regular breast exams and pap tests. Ask about a mammogram.
What day should I pick for my breast self-examination?
For Menstruating Women - The best time to give yourself a breast self-examination is after the menstrual period has ended when the breast are less tender.
For Post-Menopausal Women - Choose a specific day each month (such as the first Saturday) and give yourself a breast self-examination on the same day every month.
Check your breasts using these steps:
Lying down - Place a pillow under your right shoulder. Put your right hand under your head. Check your entire breast area with the finger pads of your left hand. Use small circles and follow an up and down pattern. Use light, medium and firm pressure over each area of your breast. Repeat these steps on your left breast.
Before a mirror - Check for any changes in the shape or look of your breasts. Note any skin or nipple changes such as dimpling or nipple discharge. Inspect your breasts in four positions: arms at side, arms overhead, hands on hips pressing firmly to flex chest muscles, and bending forward.
In the shower - Raise your right arm. With soapy hands and fingers flat, check your right breast. Use the method described in the "Lying Down" step. Repeat on your left breast.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR BREAST HEALTH
Who is at risk for breast cancer?
All women are at risk for breast cancer. The two most significant factors for breast cancer are being female and growing older. (Breast cancer also occurs in men - this year, 1,400 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer.)
When should I have a screening mammogram?
Beginning by age 40, women should have annual screening mammograms. Women under age 40 with either a family history of breast cancer or other concerns should consult a trained medical professional about risk assessment and when to begin mammography.
What is my best defense against breast cancer?
Early detection and treatment offer the best chance of surviving breast cancer. When breast cancer is confined to the breast, the five-year survival rate is over 95%. Protect yourself with these three steps:
- Have mammograms
- Have clinical breast examinations
- Perform monthly breast self-examinations
What is a screening mammogram?A mammogram is an x-ray of the breast capable of detecting breast cancers before they can be felt. Mammography is the best screening tool available to detect breast cancer at its earliest, most treatable stages.
What should I do if I have breast problems?
If you notice any change in how your breasts normally look or feel, don't panic but do see a trained medical professional who will obtain a medical history, examine your breasts and suggest what further action needs to be taken. You may be referred for a diagnostic mammogram. This is used to evaluate a woman with a breast problem/symptom or an abnormal finding on a screening mammogram.
HOW YOU CAN HELP PREVENT BREAST CANCER
- For overall wellness and possibly to decrease risk for developing breast cancer, it is recommended that women consume a well-balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables.
- Numerous studies have shown that alcohol intake can slightly increase your risk for breast cancer. If you drink alcohol, drink in moderation less than one drink a day. Try switching to soda or juice, and limit your intake of alcoholic beverages or stop drinking altogether.
- Weight gain can increase your risk for breast cancer, especially if the weight gain occurs after menopause. For your overall health, include an exercise program along with a well-balanced diet in your lifestyle.
- The role of cigarette smoking as a breast cancer risk factor is still under study, but tobacco smoke is a known carcinogen implicated in lung cancer. Do your body a favor and stop smoking today!
- The most common signs of breast cancer are a lump in the breast, an abnormal thickening of the breast tissue or a change in the shape or color of the breast. If any change occurs you should have a clinical breast examination by a trained medical professional.
- It is recommended that every woman follow this three-step approach to breast health: annual mammograms beginning by age 40; clinical breast exams at least every 3 years beginning at age 20 and annually after 40; and monthly breast self-exams.
For more information about breast health or breast cancer call National Toll-Free Breast Care Helpline at: 1.800.I'M AWARE (1-800-462-9273) or visit their Web site at www.breastcancerinfo.com
